A Node.js library that selects an activity (or a list of activities) to do based on fractal (Pareto) distribution.
The distribution puts about 50% of the results in the bottom (easiest) 20% of the activities. So if you have 5 activities, about half the time you'll be doing the easiest one.
To use on the command line, just run node fractal-movement in the repo folder. You'll get a list of random activities to do for the week like this:
Mon: Natural movement 39 minutes
Tue: Tai Chi
Wed: Running 4.5 miles
Thu: Running 5.1 miles
Fri: ---
Sat: Hiking 6.9 miles
Sun: Biking 7 miles
You can define your list of activities in the JSON object located in activities.js. Feel free to make them as crazy as you want: base jumping, free soloing, wingsuiting, shuffleboard, etc.
Many studies (see Art de Vany or Nassim Taleb) have shown that people not living a "modern" lifestyle -- i.e. hunter-gatherers -- move and expend energy in a fractal pattern. Most of the time they're not expending much energy sitting, slow walking, or doing everyday tasks; sometimes they lift heavy things or use their whole bodies for more intense play; and on occasion they put in an all-out effort short-distance sprinting or long-distance running.
Hunter-grathers don't choose to move fractally, that's just how it ends up. But the modern lifestyle has routinized everything and put if on a more even distribution. Running 3 miles a day may drop some pounds, but it's not very good for you long-term.
Better to have a diversity of full-body activities that are only on-occasion very difficult. This little program should help out to force some randomness in your schedule.
+1 for diversty! -1 for specialization!
- Command-line utility